Singapore-Sponsored Foreign Scholars

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education with regard to foreign scholars from ASEAN, India and China respectively who are sponsored by the Singapore Government, what has been the past 15 years' data on (i) the percentage of cohort who completed the entire duration of their contractual obligation to work in Singapore after graduation; and (ii) the percentage of cohort who had taken up Singapore citizenship.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: On average, more than eight in 10 scholars from ASEAN, India and China fulfil their service obligations to work in Singapore after graduation. Most of the rest were granted deferment to pursue further studies and are required to serve their obligations after their studies. Almost all scholars who have graduated have taken up permanent residency or citizenship, with about 15% converting to citizens within five years of graduation.

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